Tag: #media

One-in-five voters have changed their ballot choices based on social media posts

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the results of its annual Connected Lives survey, which shows that one-in-five (19%) voters have changed their voting choice based on posts they have seen on social media. The research found that this is significantly higher for younger voters, with 28% of those aged 18 to 24 saying social media has led to them changing their ballot preference.

The nationally representative survey of 1,006 adults in Ireland was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom. It examined the growing crossover between politics and social media and how that is impacting public opinion. In doing so, the research found that 38% of adults in Ireland believe that social media is now the most important political campaigning platform, rising to 47% for those aged 18 to 24.

The research shows that many adults turn to social media to keep themselves informed on political discourse. Of those who use social media (85%), more than a quarter (26%) credit it with helping them to see alternative political points of view, while 32% say it supports their knowledge of election and referendum issues. Despite this, just 41% of social media users fact-check political social media content, while 27% will only follow people and accounts whose political opinions they agree with.

Pure Telecom’s survey showed that there is an appetite for politicians to have a presence on social media, with many saying they would like to see more of it. Almost half (49%) of adults who use social media said they like politicians to use it because it makes them more accessible, while 49% like them to use social media as it keeps them up-to-date on their progress and opinions.

It’s not just election issues that adults in Ireland are interested in seeing from politicians. Almost half (47%) of social media users would like politicians to give more personal insights on social platforms to make them more relatable. Meanwhile, one-third of adults (33%) believe that politicians should make TikTok videos to appeal to younger generations. This rises to 45% for those aged 18 to 24.

When it comes to voicing their own opinions, the population is less sure. While 27% of men who use social media say they share their political opinions on social media, just 13% of women do it.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “Social media is making politics more accessible to the general public, while also helping people to get up-to-speed on important political issues. It can help the population to stay informed on local issues and developments, while also having a greater awareness of national issues, elections and referenda. However, with so many admitting to being influenced politically by social media, it is incumbent on all of us to make sure we carry out some fact-checking before forming an opinion.

“With voters set to return to the ballot boxes at least twice over the next 12 months, staying connected and informed will be important for all of us in deciding which way to vote. At Pure Telecom, by providing high-speed broadband connectivity to any location in the country, we are proud to empower people to make the choices that are right for them.”

 

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1006 ROI Consumers, aged 18+. The data was collected between 26.03.2024 – 28.03.2024. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Videndum Media Solutions joins forces with Aquatech exclusive distribution across EMEA

Videndum Media Solutions, the leading manufacturer and distributors for imaging and audio capturing devices for the growing content creation world, has announced its exclusive distribution partnership across the EMEA region with AQUATECH, the internationally acclaimed manufacturer of premium underwater housings. Starting April 2024, European ocean photographers will have direct access to AQUATECH solutions through a newly designed experience on manfrotto.com, as well as through Videndum Media Solutions’ qualified distribution network in key European Countries.

For over two decades, AQUATECH has been at the forefront of design for high quality, waterproof housings and professional photographic accessories, engineered to withstand the toughest underwater conditions and ensure the safety of valuable camera equipment. A pioneer in the water photography niche, AQUATECH has empowered photographers and filmmakers to capture breathtaking moments above and beneath the water surface.  

The new announcement expands on the previous collaboration in 2023 that introduced the JOBY SeaPal; the premium, waterproof smartphone case compatible with Samsung Galaxy S24-S22 and iPhone 15-12 that unleashes stunning ocean footage and epic wave-riding shots has been co designed and engineered with Aquatech team. 

Today, the partnership brings together two industry leaders sharing the values of unparalleled quality, innovation and a global presence.
“We’re thrilled to welcome AQUATECH into our partner brands portfolio” comments Chris Carr, Videndum Media Solutions CMO and EVP of Sales. “Their expertise in underwater imaging technology perfectly complements our range of media supports and accessories, adding an exciting new dimension to content creation.”

Alan Love, AQUATECH Founder and CEO, shares the company’s ambitions: “The partnership with VMS marks a pivotal moment for us as we expand across the EMEA region. Their robust distribution network provides a strategic avenue for growth, allowing us to strengthen our presence alongside industry leaders.” 

The full range of camera housings, lens port and accessories is now available to professionals and enthusiasts engaged in photography, cinematography and visual arts such as surfing, sailing, documentary, ocean seascape art, fashion, Olympic water sports, wildlife photography, outdoor sports, and more. 

For more information, browse the dedicated AQUATECH section on www.manfrotto.com, or visit VMS authorized distributors and partners across the EMEA region. 

Virgin Media publishes its top 10 voice control searches, as 69% of customers use voice control each week

Virgin Media have released their top 10 voice-controlled searches from the past 30 days, as 69% of Virgin Media customers are now using voice search capabilities on a weekly basis.

Using voice search allows individuals of all ages to effortlessly search for the content they want to consume, be it on linear channels, via streaming services such as YouTube, Prime or Netflix, or from on-demand players.

The topmost voice-searched show was Love Island, bringing up results for the OG show as well as spin-offs welcoming previous cast members in Love Island: All Stars and fan-favourite islanders from various Love Island series in Love Island Games.

The Irish love their soaps, with all the action from Albert Square coming in 2nd place with fan favourite Eastenders. Other popular soap operas also appeared in the top 10 searches, with Coronation Street in 4th place, Emmerdale in 6th and Fair City in 7th.

Coming in as the 3rd most popular search by voice control was Peppa Pig, as children’s TV was also highly popular in the top 10 rankings, with YouTube’s Miss Rachel in 5th position, Cocomelon in 8th, Paw Patrol in 9th and Bluey in 10th.

Paul Higgins, VP of Consumer of Virgin Media said, “Voice control is available on Virgin Media’s new Streaming TV, making it even easier to find the content you love no matter where it lives at the push of a button. It’s great to see more and more customers are making use of voice control capabilities, making our products more accessible for people of all ages.”

Voice control is available on Virgin Media’s new Streaming TV, making it even easier to find the shows you love no matter where they live with one single search.

New customers can add Virgin Media Streaming TV with Loaded TV to their broadband package for as little as €15 per month for 12 months and €34 per month thereafter. Existing Broadband customers can add an extra Streaming TV box or upgrade their current box depending on their circumstances.

You can learn more about the new Streaming TV at virginmedia.ie.

1. Love Island
2.EastEnders
3.Peppa Pig
4. Coronation Street
5. Miss Rachel
6. Emmerdale
7. Fair City
8. Cocomelon
9. Paw Patrol
10. Bluey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Streaming TV from Virgin Media has arrived – Infinite entertainment from one tiny box

Ireland’s Best Broadband provider, Virgin Media, has today announced the arrival of its new Streaming TV platform, offering infinite entertainment from one tiny box.

Streaming TV puts an ocean of entertainment at your fingertips and offers the best of both worlds, from your favourite traditional TV shows and channels to the most popular streaming apps (like Netflix, Prime Video, AppleTV+, Paramount+ and YouTube) and players (including the Virgin Media Player, Channel 4 Player and TG4 Player). And it does it all over your WiFi – making cable a thing of the past.

The fun-sized box fits in the palm of your hand and is completely portable, so you can move it anywhere around the home. All you need is our amazing WiFi to make every room in the home your own personal playground for world-class entertainment.

Streaming TV connects via Wi-Fi or Ethernet with live TV, recordings, continue watching, replay, on-demand, radio and pause live TV options available.

It’s now even easier to find the shows you love no matter where they live (be it live TV or your favourite apps) with one single search. It also comes with voice control, with 69% of Virgin Media customers now using voice search on a weekly basis. Add a show to your watchlist and get a notification when the latest episode drops into your app or is scheduled on TV. You can also access the streaming apps in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos support.

Its award-winning design boasts extraordinarily strong sustainability credentials, thanks to extremely low power consumption, averaging 70% less power than a traditional set top box. It is also made from 35% recycled plastics with no single-use plastic being used in the packaging.

New customers can add Virgin Media Streaming TV with Loaded TV to their broadband package for as little as €15 per month for 12 months and €34 per month thereafter. Existing Broadband customers can add Streaming TV at any time and can add an extra Streaming TV box or upgrade their current box depending on their circumstances.

Paul Higgins, VP of Consumer of Virgin Media said, “We are delighted to finally bring this incredible and exciting new Virgin Media product to our customers. With its award-winning design, the TV streaming box is as unique as it is compact.

“We also understand how imperative it is to keep sustainability at the forefront of our business goals and objectives when we bring a new product onto the market. Thanks to its small size, its subsequent packaging is also relatively small and kept to a minimum.

“Virgin Media Streaming TV also comes packed with a number of user-centric features across live TV and streaming apps, giving each of our customers a bespoke experience so, no matter what your TV viewing style is, you can play it your way.”

You can learn more about the new Streaming TV at virginmedia.ie.

Tech Review – Wanbo-X2 Max projector

I have several projectors at home and love them all and are one of my favourite pieces of tech to review and enjoy watching my content on. Wanbo have sent us their latest on offer which is the Wanbo-X2 Max projector packed with features, the spec sheet looks good but it is all down to how it comes across for your viewing that counts and we will be taking a close look at this model, one of several the company has on offer at affordable prices.

With this projector you can do many things with and feel more immersed with the bigger picture so to speak and not only that you get big sound which is great, some projectors dish out poor sound but not this one it is loud and punchy with some nice bass in there no distortion or lag latency either noted during testing.

The picture though is what people like to know about these projectors and the picture is good on this no matter what you may use it for, it can be used for gaming watching movies and much more and you can of course cast from your device and hook up your laptop and consoles to see things in all their glory.

The quality is decent even on a darker wall I tried out and came out good overall we have native 1080p present and 450 ANSI which gives a brighter video to watch unlike 720p would in a projector. Some say you would need over 1000 lumens or ANSI to get a better picture which is a fair comment it all depends on how good you want the quality to be but as you will see in the video review below 450 is plenty for simple home use.

This projector has an AI image engine and auto focus and 4 points keystone correction again often left out from previous ones I have review at this price and it works well here and perfect if you have no idea spot to place or mount the projector you can still get the picture square on a wall even if not place directly in front of it.

How big you want the picture also depends on you and the closer the better quality which is obvious but there is three noted focal lengths or screen sizes from 50 120 inches which is ideal and of course you need to try out the 120 inch, if you have a white background of projector screen you will get better results too but this can be projected onto blinds or a darker wall and the picture comes through and not seeing pixels from the desired distance.

Wanbo-X2 specs

The UI is simple to use and navigate and there is tonnes of preloaded apps there is some restrictions as always with projectors but you can get around these easily enough with the know how or just ask someone who does. The noise is also not too loud as some can be from projectors and is tolerable when in use and if you turn your volume up like you should there will be no fan noise to worry about. To top it off you can also use this as a general music player/speaker by simply connecting your device and it has decently loud 2X5W speakers and finally Dual Band 6 Wi-Fi as mentioned above so no lag latency seen during my use so far.

One small gripe for me is the power cable is a bit on the short side.

Check the video review below for more.

BUY 

Video Review

Apple TV+ now available on Virgin Media

Virgin Media customers can now enjoy premium, award-winning drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment from Apple TV+ directly on supported Virgin 360 set-top boxes.

Apple TV+, available on Virgin TV 360, offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favourite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have landed 400 awards, and over 1,600 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.” Apple TV+.

Virgin TV 360 offers access to 190 channels and up to three mini 360 boxes around the home for the full multi-room TV experience, as well as access to the Virgin TV Go app so customers can stream their favourite content from their iPhone or iPad, whenever and wherever suits them.

Paul Higgins, VP of Commercial at Virgin Media Ireland said: “We’re thrilled to bring Apple TV+ directly to our Virgin 360 customers, providing them with the ultimate entertainment experience with award-winning movies and series from today’s most imaginative storytellers. Apple TV+ now available on Virgin TV 360 reflects our commitment to providing seamless, accessible content, making it easier than ever for our subscribers to enjoy their favourite shows and movies at home.”

For more information on Virgin TV packages, please visit: www.virginmedia.ie.

Top Ways to Make Money on Social Media Platforms

In today’s digital age, social media isn’t just for sharing cute cat videos and stalking your high school crush. It’s a legit money-making machine. With billions of people scrolling through their feeds every day, the potential for cashing in on social media is massive. So, let’s dive into the top ways you can turn your online presence into a sweet cash cow.

The Social Media Revolution

Let’s face it: social media has changed the game. It’s no longer just a way to chat with friends and share your dinner pics. Now, you can connect with a global audience in a snap. 

The rise of influencers and content creators has opened up a whole world of opportunities for those looking to make some serious moolah. This includes OnlyFans best sex models, fitness coaches, entrepreneurs, adult performers, and many more. But before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to make that dough, let’s understand how social media rules the world.

The Era of Influencers

Influencer marketing is blowing up. Big brands are teaming up with social media stars to peddle their stuff to a target audience. These influencers have built a fan base by creating cool content and becoming experts in their niches. As an influencer, you can work with brands and cash in through sponsored posts, product endorsements, and affiliate marketing.

Top Social Media Platforms for Making Money

While there are tons of social media platforms out there, some are better suited for making money. Let’s break down the top ones and how you can cash in on them.

  • Instagram Money Moves

Instagram is all about the visuals and influencer culture. If you’re good at snapping pics or creating eye-catching content, you can make money in different ways. You can do sponsored posts, partner up with brands, and even dive into affiliate marketing.

  • YouTube Cash Flow

If you’re into making videos, YouTube is where it’s at. Create top-notch content and pull in a loyal subscriber base. You can earn money through YouTube’s Partner Program or score brand deals for sponsored content. You can even sell your own merch to your viewers.

  • Twitter (X) Earnings

Twitter (X) may be limited by character count, but it has unique money-making potential. Twitter influencers make bank through sponsored tweets, where they promote stuff to their followers. You can also sell your own digital products, like e-books or online courses, directly to your audience.

Strategies for Raking in the Bucks

So, you’ve got your online presence set up, and you know which platforms you’re targeting. Now, let’s talk strategy to fill up your wallet.

Affiliate Marketing on Social Media

Affiliate marketing is where it’s at. You promote products or services through your social media channels using special affiliate links. For every sale made through your link, you get a cut. Just make sure the stuff you’re promoting vibes with your audience, and only push things you genuinely believe in.

Sponsored Posts and Partnerships

As your online influence grows, brands will start sliding into your DMs for sponsored posts and partnerships. Sponsored posts are when you create content that hypes a specific product or brand and get paid for it. Partnerships are longer-term deals where you become a brand ambassador, promoting their goods on the regular.

Selling Your Stuff Directly

If you’ve got a special skill or knowledge, you can use your social media presence to sell your own products or services. Whether it’s an e-book, online courses, coaching, or physical merch, your loyal followers could be your next customers. Set up sweet sales funnels and run social media ads to reach a broader audience.

Navigating the Social Media Money Maze

Making money on social media sounds rad, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. You’ve gotta know the pitfalls and how to dodge ’em to make that money dream come true.

Dealing with Platform Changes

Social media platforms are always tweaking their policies, and that can mess with your money game. Stay in the loop about any changes and be ready to adjust your strategy. Diversify your money-making tricks so that you’re not putting all your eggs in one platform’s basket.

Keeping it Real While Making Money

As you start pulling in cash from your social media channels, remember to stay true to yourself. Your audience can spot fake stuff from a mile away. Be honest about sponsored content and only promote stuff you truly believe in. Your credibility and trustworthiness are your golden tickets to long-term success.

Summing Up: Understand the Game – Play it Right!

In a nutshell, social media is a goldmine waiting to be dug up. Understand the game and use different platforms effectively, and you can turn your online presence into a real money-spinner. 

Whether it’s sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or selling your own goods and services, the key is to build a solid brand, engage with your audience, and roll with the punches. So, go out there, make some killer content, and start turning your social media hustle into a money-making party!

 

Virgin Media announced as the title sponsor of The FAI’s Esports Programme

Virgin Media has been announced as the title partner of the Football Association of Ireland’s Esports programme, including the ELOI which will now be titled the Virgin Media ELOI.

The new two-year agreement will provide Virgin Media with title sponsorship of the ELOI, eNational Team and a newly launched EFAI Cup.

The new EFAI Cup will be an exciting two-week online tournament in January which will culminate in an in-person final four showdown one week after the tournament ends. The tournament will be open to all levels to enter and participants must be over 16 and based in the Republic of Ireland. Registrations will open in December.

The Virgin Media ELOI will run from February to April 2024 and will feature all 20 men’s League of Ireland clubs, competing in a group format with the top two teams progressing to the live Final.

The winner of the Virgin Media ELOI will earn a place in the eChampions League Group Stage and a Play-Off place for the FC Pro World Championship.

Competitive gaming and the esports industry have grown exponentially in recent years. The industry has become a global phenomenon with millions of fans participating and consuming esports. There are around two million gamers in Ireland across all spectrums, and it is estimated there are around 700,000 Esports enthusiasts.

The FAI have recognised these developments in esports and has decided to actively shape the efootball landscape here in Ireland. The FAI’s esports programme is established to attract and engage with a younger demographic of football fans and create a new participation and supporter stream through esports.

Sean Kavanagh, FAI Commercial Director, said: “This is an exciting partnership for the FAI to have such a brilliant brand to be the title sponsor for our electronic games programmes. This is an exciting area for us to grow and has huge potential for both ourselves and Virgin Media. The addition of the EFAI Cup will give the wider public a great opportunity to get involved in the games and having Virgin Media alongside us will help us amplify this as well as the Virgin Media ELOI and ENational Team for the FAI to an even wider audience.”

Vice President of Commercial at Virgin Media, Paul Higgins said: “Virgin Media recognises the growth of gaming and esports in Ireland and we know many of our customers come to Virgin Media so they can experience the most reliable and best broadband for their gameplay.  This important strategic partnership with the FAI is an opportunity for Virgin Media to continue to support the gaming community in Ireland so the right infrastructure is in place for Irish gamers to play and compete.

“We are excited to partner with the FAI’s esports programme that is committed to engaging and supporting gamers at a grass root and national level. This partnership is an extension of our gaming partnerships with the likes of Esports organisation WYLDE.”

Mark Scanlon, League of Ireland Director, said: “We’re delighted to announce Virgin Media as title sponsor with the FAI and it is great to have such a well-known and innovative brand as title sponsor of the ELOI. The ELOI has a huge role for us to play in the growth of the League of Ireland’s fanbase with the newer generation and last year’s tournament was a great way to kick off the new brand. We’re excited to see where we can take the Virgin Media ELOI along with Virgin Media into 2024.”